Tuesday, February 24, 2009

What Makes You Happy?

Every morning as I drive to work I listen to NPR (National Public Radio). Story after story was about all of the things that make us weary of life - recession, war, foreclosures, climate change. I was waiting for something positive but it never came. So, I decided to create my own positivity...

I started thinking about last night. Monday's are always soccer night. I drive out with my husband and brother and watch them run around the field for a bit. I am the lone cheerleader/soccer mom for the team of adult men and women and I love being out there. I find the night air to be refreshing and relaxing. Yes, I do pay attention to the game, but really, the best part, is just being outside.

Then I started thinking about my upcoming weekend. An old friend from school is coming in to town this weekend. Although I could do without visitors staying at my home, it is nice to know that we can get together with old friends and enjoy each other's company. Our "crew" from college are all over the world, but we always seem to find each other and take a couple of days a year to catch up.

And finally I thought about - and don't laugh - hot chocolate. In the mornings I either have a cup of tea or hot chocolate. I limit myself to one hot chocolate per week so whatever day I choose to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, is a good day, no matter what. I was contemplating using my hot chocolate day early this week, to combat the overt negativity of the news. Chocolate always has this kind of positive effect. Why not infuse my morning with a jolt of chocolate goodness?

I never did have that hot chocolate this morning. I guess that my positive thoughts were enough to get me through the day.

21 comments:

Tadeu said...

Personally when I am having a bad day, I indulge in my music and only return to the waking world when I'm feeling a bit lighter.

I also try to keep my thoughts positive, and my actions have to emulate my thoughts if I'm going to have a clean conscience.

Oh and I also listen to NPR when I wake up/drive to school. Which is actually kind of creepy...

Daniel Glovsky said...

Hot Chocolate is a great thing, and it is borderline wrong to limit your self to one cup a week. I know this blog isn't about the drink its self but this is America so if I want to blog about hot chocolate Im gonna blog about hot chocolate! Where I work I make a lot of hot coco so I guess you could say Im some what of an avid hot chocolate connoisseur.

Through my studies I have discovered many things about this chocolaty treat. I found that it tastes better when its in the cup and not on your shirt. Also it is much better when made with hot milk instead of water. Obviously marshmallows are a necessity. And finally I enjoy hot coco at a decent temperature not at a dangerous temperature that burns your throat.

My advise would be, if you choose to only have one cup a week I suggest you pour seven packets of the coco in one cup so you have your weeks worth. Daniel + Hot Chocolate = <3

Faustino Conde said...

Negativity in the world today seems to be affecting everyone lately my lone neighbor who back in 2007 used to be so cheerful and gay (happy) is now a depressed, everyday regular adult, his spark is gone. "He could use some hot chocolate"

I lately have been trying to ignore the outside world but as always its turned out to be difficult. Seems as though anything revolving around economy (which is everything) is collapsing into a gloomy stage of mind.

I still hope for the best but sometimes it seems hope isn't enough, so I rely on my own music to get me through the day.

aircupcakes10 said...

Well as you can probably guess when I'm having a bad day I bake. It gives me something else to focus on, for at least a little while. It tends to distract me from my current troubles.
Another thing that helps me have a better day is music. My ipod tends to save me from "going off" on people around me.

Anonymous said...

Bad days. Yesterday was a really bad day for me. When I am having a bad say I like to write about it. Except when I write at this time, I write from my heart and ignore the rules of writing. It probably wouldn't make sense to your average person but I understand it completely. I also try to look for the positive in the negative things that happen. I know that everthing happens for a reason and I just try to always remember that.

autumn_nicole said...

Not to copy the previous post but I also find music very uplifting. It's amazing how easily a song, any song, can chang my mood.Im currently not in the best mood because I'm grounded. It might sound silly but it's because I burned a pizza last night. I guess it was more of a "responsibility thing" with my mom. Im really upset because i love my weekends and absolutey hate wasting them. Im currently listening to music while working on my blog and it's made me a feel a little better. If it wasn't for music I don't know how I'd get through the day.

Lucy said...

One of my best friends and another really close friend both live on my street, so we are always really close when we need each other, that for starters makes me greatly happy. Near our houses is this big field, its so relaxing. On one side is a bench and the other is an L shaped hedge with a sloped piece of land under. Whenever any of us needs to talk about anything, we go there. I always leave feeling so much better about whatever is going on.

Alicia said...

I try to always stay positive and think about the good things in life, but sometimes thats hard. When I feel sad or under the weather I just tune out and think of absolutely nothing. You might think, "How do you not think thoughts?". Well Mrs. Stoklosa, it's not that hard. Just don't think. I can't explain it any better than that. But if my sad thoughts overcome me and burst through my absolutely empty head, I listen to calm beachy music like Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, or Jack Johnson.

Anonymous said...

I enjoy thinking about the positive instead of the negatives as well. Everyday on the news its just another person who gets killed or another car crashes into a lake. It just goes to show you how messed up our world is. Why cant they have a segment on how Kim the lost dog made it home. Now i would love to watch that!

Kaley! said...

I'm a very positive person, so I'm always happy! Except when I'm sick, which has been a problem recently. I prefer tea over hot chocolate. It helps me get over whatever I'm feeling because it's so warm and tasty and yummy. But I also go for walks. It clears my mind and its a good excuse for some exercise too!

Anonymous said...

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY IS KNOWING THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CARE FOR ME. I DON'T MEAN YOUR PARENTS BUT FRIENDS THAT GO OUT OF THEIR WAY FOR YOU. ALSO, KNOWING THAT I WORK FOR MY MONEY AND IT IS NEVER JUST GIVEN TO ME.

Mary said...

It's always the simple, unnoticed details in life that can make or break our day. Sometimes we don't realize that maybe that one cup of hot chocolate could've made your day a thousand times better. We worry so much about the big obstacles in our lives (not saying we shouldn't) that we overlook the "little things" that truly do make us happy. For example, I could be in the most anxious state of my life worrying about the results of a test but I know that the only solution to that problem isn't to take a pill or go see a psychiatrist. All I have to do is go outside, climb to the highest branch of a tree, and take in a big breath of fresh air. If there's one thing I can agree on you with referring to this post is that there's nothing like being outside.

Anonymous said...

When life seems to come at me in furious rage of horrendous events and instances, I pull myself to the side and give myself a pep talk. This is one of the devices I use when faced with adversity. I also use what I like to call reverse thinking. This is where I start with the worst possible thing that could happen at the outcome of the situation, and work forward towards the best case scenario. If the problem still persists, then I reach for my nestle hot chocolate mix. :)

john_garciap2 said...

usually when I am in a bad mood i go outside with friends and play some basketball or football and take my mind off of it. And once I am in the game I am already in a good mood. Because I am enjoying myself playing the sport and having fun hanging out with my friends. A lot of the times i listen to music to just chill and think about other stuff to get the negative thought out of my mind

Kevin said...

People need to find the positive in life. Surrounding youself with negativity hold you back and blinds you from what is beautiful. Beautiful is looking out to the world and smiling, being happy and appreciating what you have over what you don'. I like that I'm always optomistic, but reality keeps me grounded so I'm good. Life isn't really that bad, it can seem like it though. One thing though, next time you should go play it's fun even if you aren't too good.

Alan Smith said...

On bad days I usually wonder around and try to find something to do. Most of my "bad days" come out of frustration or anger. I try to enjoy my time outside on a nice day or play basketball. I try to do something constructive and something I like to do. On bad days, I also enjoy to eat, and I eat a lot.

GATORS217 said...

I can definitely relate to the feeling of negativity that just seems to be floating in the air these days from all of the economic issues and such. I think it's great that you took the time to worry about your personal happiness instead of just letting things be the way they are, that only leads to being bitter in the long-run. Although those are unique things that cause you to be happy, it's cool that you can recognize them specifically.

I also think that your hot chocolate thing is cute, and I admire that you try to prevent over-indulgence because it might not be as special if you overuse its effect. Cute blog, made me smile =)

C Robinson 32 said...

Why not infuse your mornings with a jolt of chocolate goodness? I love that one. That might have to be my new motto. Thank you TStok.

What makes me happy is english class at 7:30.

All jokes aside, my iPod does keep me sane. It allows me to stabilize my emotions. When i have my headphones in, most people can understand that I don't really want to talk. I don't need to be bubbly and hyper to be having a good day. Did I just say bubbly? The simple joys in life are what make it bearable. If people find it in themselves to be simply happy when simple things go right for them, they will find much more happiness than before.

Jeremiah Nelson said...

Hot Chocolate is amazing! And even though I don't personally run to it whenever I am stressed out. I do enjoy a cup every once in a while.

I tend to play guitar when I'm stressed out. And if I don't have my guitar with me somebody else's music does a decent job. But there is nothing like creating your own to soothe the soul.

juventino10 said...

The thing that makes me happy is listening to music, because you can get caught up in the rhythms of the song, and it makes it seem like a fantasy, drawing, cause can be so creative and show how talented I am, then show-off the art I have created, and being with my close family.

TheOne128 said...

well now I know what to get you as a present! I love hot chocolate too, I dont limite my hot chocolate though. Thats like saying you can only hug your boyfriend on mondays. Thats horrible. Even though I have to go thruogh that. tear tear. andyway, I suggest that you listen to music in the morning instead. It always puts me in a very happy mood when I hear my favorite song! =)